Drain pan for a water heater

ABSTRACT

A drain pan for a water heater is provided. The drain pan includes a plurality of leveling legs mounted to a pan body. The plurality of leveling legs is selectively adjustable in order to arrange the drain pan in a level configuration. By arranging the drain pan in the level configuration, a water heater supported on the drain pan can be leveled.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to drain pans for water heaters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Residential water heaters are generally located within a basement, crawlspace, garage, or utility closet. In such locations, the water heaters can sit directly on a floor or on bricks or other similar mechanisms in order to lift the water heater off the floor. However, residential water heaters generally have an elongated cylindrical shape that is designed to be vertically oriented. Thus, in addition to elevating the water heater off the floor, the bricks and other similar mechanisms can also be used to level the water heater. For example, shims can be used with the bricks to level the water heater. However, utilizing bricks and shims to level the water heater can be difficult or tedious.

Drain pans can also be mounted below the water heater in order to collect leaking water from the water heater. Such drain pans are generally designed to solely catch leaking water from the water heater. However, such drain pans are positioned directly below the water heater and can sit on the floor or on the bricks described above.

Accordingly, a drain pan with features for assisting leveling of a water heater supported by the drain pan would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a drain pan for a water heater. The drain pan includes a plurality of leveling legs mounted to a pan body. The plurality of leveling legs is selectively adjustable in order to arrange the drain pan in a level configuration. By arranging the drain pan in the level configuration, a water heater supported on the drain pan can be leveled. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a drain pan for a water heater is provided. The drain pan defines a vertical direction. The drain pan includes a bottom wall. The bottom wall has a top surface and a bottom surface. A sidewall is mounted to the bottom wall and extends away from the top surface of the bottom wall along the vertical direction. The sidewall and the bottom wall define a containment volume for receipt of liquid. A plurality of leveling legs is mounted to the bottom wall or the sidewall. Each leveling leg of the plurality of leveling legs has a distal portion that is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the bottom wall along the vertical direction by a distance. The distance is selectively adjustable in order to arrange the drain pan in a level configuration.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a drain pan for a water heater is provided. The drain pan defines a vertical direction. The drain pan includes a pan body. The pan body has a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the pan body is positioned opposite the first surface of the pan body. The pan body defines a containment volume for receipt of liquid. A plurality of leveling legs is mounted to the pan body. Each leveling leg of the plurality of leveling legs has a distal portion that is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the pan body along the vertical direction by a distance. The distance is selectively adjustable in order to arrange the drain pan in a level configuration.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a water heater sitting in a drain pan according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a top, perspective view of the drain pan of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom, perspective view of the drain pan of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides a partial section view of the drain pan of FIG. 3 taken along the 4-4 line of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a water heater 100 sitting in a drain pan 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Water heater 100 includes a casing 102. A tank (not shown) and a heating element (not shown) are mounted within casing 102 for heating water. The heating element may be a gas burner, an electric resistance element, a microwave element, an induction element, or any other suitable heating element or combination thereof.

Water heater 100 also includes a cold water conduit 104 and a hot water conduit 106 that are both in fluid communication with the tank within casing 102. As an example, cold water from a water source, e.g., a municipal water supply or a well, can enter water heater 100 through cold water conduit 104. From cold water conduit 104, such cold water can enter the tank wherein it is heated with the heating element to generate heated water. Such heated water can exit water heater 100 at hot water conduit 106 and, e.g., be supplied to a bath, shower, sink, or any other suitable feature.

Water heater 100 extends longitudinally between a top portion 108 and a bottom portion 109 along a vertical direction V. Thus, water heater 100 is generally vertically oriented. Water heater 100 can be leveled, e.g., such that casing 102 is plumb in the vertical direction V, in order to facilitate proper operation of water heater 100.

Drain pan 200 is positioned at bottom portion 109 of water heater 100 such that water heater 100 sits on drain pan 200. Drain pan 200 sits beneath water heater 100 along the vertical direction V, e.g., to collect water that leaks from water heater 100 or water that condenses on an evaporator (not shown) of water heater 100. Drain pan 200 also includes features for assisting with leveling of water heater 100 as discussed in greater detail below. It should be understood that water heater 100 is provided by way of example only and that any other suitable water heater may be disposed on drain pan 200.

FIG. 2 is a top, perspective view of drain pan 200. Drain pan 200 includes a pan body 210. Pan body 210 may be constructed of a stamped metal such as steel, a molded plastic such as polyethylene, or any other suitable material. Pan body includes a bottom wall 212. Bottom wall 212 has a top surface 218 and a bottom surface 219. Top and bottom surfaces 218 and 219 are spaced apart along the vertical direction V such that top and bottom surfaces are positioned opposite one another. Pan body 210 also includes a sidewall 214 that is mounted to bottom wall 212 and extends away from the top surface 218 of bottom wall 212, e.g., along the vertical direction V. In particular, sidewall 214 includes a top edge 216 that is spaced apart from top surface 218 of bottom wall 212 along the vertical direction V by a height H. Height H may be any suitable dimension, e.g., about one inch, about two inches, about three inches, or more.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, bottom wall 212 is circular in a plane that is perpendicular to the vertical direction V, e.g., with a diameter that is greater than about one and one half feet, e.g., about twenty-four inches or about twenty-six inches. Similarly, sidewall 214 is annular in a plane that is perpendicular to the vertical direction V, e.g., with a diameter that is greater than about one and one half feet. However, it should be understood that bottom wall 212 and sidewall 214 may have suitable shape in alternative exemplary embodiments. For example, bottom wall 212 may be rectangular or oval in a plane that is perpendicular to the vertical direction V.

Pan body 210 defines a containment volume 224 that is, e.g., configured to collect leaking or condensed water from water heater 100 (FIG. 1). In particular, containment volume 224 is defined by bottom wall 212 and sidewall 214. Sidewall 214 also defines an outlet 220. Water within containment volume 224 can be directed out of drain pan 200 through outlet 220. As an example, a conduit or piping can be mounted at outlet 220 to direct such water to a drain.

Drain pan 200 also includes a plurality of projections or supports 222 mounted within containment volume 224, e.g., to bottom wall 212. Plurality of projections 222 may include any suitable number of projections, e.g., two, three, four, five, six, or more projections. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, plurality of projections 222 is uniformly distributed along a circumferential direction C. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, plurality of projections 222 may be distributed in any suitable manner, e.g., non-uniformly. As an example, plurality of projections 222 can support water heater 100 (FIG. 1). Thus, water heater 100 can sit on plurality of projections 222 within containment volume 224 in order for drain pan 200 to collect leaking water from water heater 100. Plurality of projections 222 also assist with mounting a plurality of leveling legs 230 (FIG. 3) to pan body 210 as discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 3 is a bottom, perspective view of drain pan 200. Plurality of leveling legs 230 is mounted to bottom wall 212. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, each leveling leg of plurality of leveling legs 230 is received within a chamber 240 defined by each projection of plurality of projections 222. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, plurality of leveling legs 230 may be mounted to any suitable portion of pan body 210, e.g., sidewall 214. Plurality of leveling legs 230 may include any suitable number of leveling legs, e.g., two, three, four, five, six, or more leveling legs. Plurality of leveling legs 230 are selectively adjustable in order to arrange drain pan 200 in a level configuration, e.g., such that bottom wall 212 or top edge 216 of sidewall 214 is substantially level. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, drain pan 200 can also include at least one non-adjustable leg (not shown) in addition to plurality of leveling legs 230.

FIG. 4 provides a partial section view of drain pan 200 taken along the 4-4 line of FIG. 3. Each leveling leg of plurality of leveling legs 230 includes a nut 234 mounted to pan body 210, e.g., bottom wall 212 at bottom surface 219. In particular, nut 234 is mounted within chamber 240 defined by plurality of projections 222 in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, nut 234 can be mounted to any suitable portion of pan body 210 as discussed above. As an example, when bottom wall 212 is flat, nut 234 can be mounted on bottom surface 219. Nut 234 may be secured to pan body 210 using any suitable mechanism, e.g., a weld, an adhesive, or a fastener.

A threaded stem 236 is received by nut 234. In particular, threads of threaded stem 236 can engage threads of nut 234, e.g., in order to permit threaded stem 236 to be rotated within nut 234. A foot 238 is mounted to threaded stem 236 at distal portion 232. Foot 238 has a larger diameter or cross-sectional area in a plane that is perpendicular to the vertical direction V than threaded stem 236. Thus, foot 238 can reduce stress applied to a floor or other support surface on which drain pan 200 is resting.

By rotating threaded stem 236 within nut 234, a distance P between distal portion 232 (e.g., foot 238) and bottom surface 219 of bottom wall 212 can be adjusted. In particular, distance P can be increased or decreased depending upon the direction threaded stem 236 is rotated within nut 234. By adjusting distance P for each leveling leg of plurality of leveling legs 230, drain pan 200 can be arranged in the level configuration. As an example, a floor beneath drain pan 200 can be uneven or irregular. Thus, distance P for one leveling leg may be about one inch, and distance P for another leveling leg might be about half an inch. By permitting selective adjustment of distance P for each leveling leg, drain pan 200 can be arranged in the level configuration despite the uneven floor beneath drain pan 200.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

1. A drain pan for a water heater, the drain pan defining a vertical direction, the drain pan comprising: a bottom wall having a top surface and a bottom surface; a sidewall extending away from the top surface of said bottom wall along the vertical direction, said sidewall and said bottom wall defining a containment volume for receipt of liquid; a plurality of posts positioned within the containment volume and extending away from the top surface of said bottom wall along the vertical direction, each post of said plurality of posts defining a chamber that is open at the bottom surface of said bottom wall, said plurality of post configured for supporting the water heater thereon such that the water heater is spaced from the top surface of said bottom wall; and a plurality of leveling legs, each leveling leg of said plurality of leveling legs mounted to a respective one of said plurality of posts, each leveling leg of said plurality of leveling legs extending into the chamber of the respective one of said plurality of posts, each leveling leg of said plurality of leveling legs having a distal portion that is spaced apart from the bottom surface of said bottom wall along the vertical direction by a distance, the distance being selectively adjustable in order to arrange the drain pan in a level configuration.
 2. The drain pan of claim 1, wherein said sidewall is annular in a plane that is perpendicular to vertical direction.
 3. The drain pan of claim 2, wherein said sidewall defines a circumferential direction, wherein said plurality of leveling legs is uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction.
 4. The drain pan of claim 1, wherein said sidewall defines an outlet for directing liquid out of the containment volume.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The drain pan of claim 1, wherein each leveling leg of said plurality of leveling legs comprises: a nut mounted to the respective one of said plurality of posts; a threaded stem received by said nut; and a foot mounted to said threaded stem at the distal portion of said plurality of leveling legs.
 7. The drain pan of claim 6, wherein said foot has a larger cross-sectional area than said threaded stem in a plane that is perpendicular to the vertical direction.
 8. The drain pan of claim 6, wherein said nut is at least partially positioned within the chamber of the respective one of said plurality of posts.
 9. The drain pan of claim 1, wherein said bottom wall is circular in a plane that is perpendicular to vertical direction.
 10. The drain pan of claim 9, wherein said bottom wall has a diameter that is greater than about one and one half feet.
 11. The drain pan of claim 1, wherein said sidewall has a height along the vertical direction, the height being greater than about two inches.
 12. A drain pan for a water heater, the drain pan defining a vertical direction, the drain pan comprising: a pan body having a top surface and a bottom surface positioned opposite the first surface of said pan body, said pan body defining a containment volume for receipt of liquid, said pan body also having a plurality of posts positioned within the containment volume and extending away from the top surface of said pan body along the vertical direction, each post of said plurality of posts defining a chamber that is open at the bottom surface of said pan body, said plurality of posts configured for supporting the water heater thereon such that the water heater is spaced from the top surface of said pan body; and a plurality of leveling legs, each leveling leg of said plurality of leveling legs mounted to said pan body at a respective one of the plurality of posts, each leveling leg of said plurality of leveling legs extending into the chamber of the respective one of the plurality of posts, each leveling leg of said plurality of leveling legs having a distal portion that is spaced apart from the bottom surface of said pan body along the vertical direction by a distance, the distance being selectively adjustable in order to arrange the drain pan in a level configuration.
 13. The drain pan of claim 12, wherein said pan body has a circular cross-section in a plane that is perpendicular to vertical direction.
 14. The drain pan of claim 13, wherein said pan body defines a circumferential direction, wherein said plurality of leveling legs is uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction.
 15. The drain pan of claim 12, wherein said pan body defines an outlet for directing liquid out of the containment volume.
 16. (canceled)
 17. The drain pan of claim 12, wherein each leveling leg of said plurality of leveling legs comprises: a nut mounted to said pan body at the respective one of said plurality of posts; a threaded stem received by said nut; and a foot mounted to said threaded stem at the distal portion of said plurality of leveling legs.
 18. The drain pan of claim 17, wherein said foot has a larger cross-sectional area than said threaded stem in a plane that is perpendicular to the vertical direction. 